If you have type 2 diabetes, you are at risk of establishing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Find out why and what you can do about it.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a group of conditions where fat develops in the liver, causing inflammation of the cells where it is kept and triggering the liver to get bigger. It can advance to more severe conditions, consisting of fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver.
Fatty liver disease is so common. It’s present arguably in a bulk of type 2 diabetics. None people considered it more than about 10 years back, then all of a sudden we discovered it and see it all the time.
How Does Fatty Liver Disease Correlate with Diabetes?
Diabetes does not cause fatty liver disease. Rather, the two diseases tend to occur in the exact same people since the same conditions cause both problems. So, it’s not the diabetes per se. People with diabetes likewise have weight problems and insulin resistance, therefore the fatty liver is thought to become part of that.
Many cases of fatty liver disease do not cause any damage. Nevertheless, since type 2 diabetes and weight problems are so common in the United States, fatty liver disease is now a leading cause of end-stage (fatal) liver disease requiring a liver transplant, along with alcohol abuse and hepatitis.
Diagnosis
Fatty liver disease has no symptoms. People who are being dealt with for diabetes will have liver enzyme tests as part of their routine blood work during medical examinations. Ninety-nine percent of the cases of fatty liver disease are detected by this test, says Einhorn. In many cases it will be gotten during the physical exam or in imaging studies, like a computed tomography scan of the abdominal area or a liver ultrasound.
Einhorn states that fatty liver disease is not treated as a separate disease; therefore, medical professionals do not usually determine the medical diagnosis with any extra studies unless liver enzymes rise all of a sudden, such as in a person without diabetes or obesity, or if the levels are extremely high and it appears that something else might be going on.
Fatty Liver Disease Treatment in Diabetics
There are no drugs that treat fatty liver disease. Instead, this condition is dealt with indirectly with lifestyle modifications such as slimming down, getting in much better physical shape, and managing blood sugar and triglycerides — fats in the blood that can add to fatty liver. “You attempt to get the best possible control and hope that the fatty liver reacts to that control,” states Einhorn.
Diabetes medications known as “insulin sensitizers” have been shown to have an impact in decreasing fat in the liver; these consist of thiazolidinediones or glitazones such as pioglitazone (Actos) and rosiglitazone (Avandia), which are used to treat insulin resistance. It makes sense to use them if insulin resistance becomes part of fatty liver, describes Einhorn, but they are not U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved for dealing with fatty liver disease.
Diet for Fatty Liver Disease and Diabetes
A diet for diabetes with fatty liver disease balances the requirements of both conditions efficiently. Diabetics need to monitor carbohydrate consumption to keep blood sugar levels within variety, while those with liver issues has to reduce the intake of foods that stress the liver, such as protein. Monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fats must likewise be a part of your diet. If you have diabetes and liver problems, talk to your doctor or health care specialist about the optimal diet for you.
- Coexistence of Conditions
The coexistence of diabetes and liver problems such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cirrhosis and liver failure occurs routinely, according to a short article in the March 2007 issue of “Diabetes Care.” Suggested diet adjustments include minimizing calorie intake, as weight reduction diminishes fatty liver. A diet high in complex carbohydrates, low in red meat and high in monounsaturated fats, such as the Mediterranean diet, seems to help patients with diabetes and liver problems handle both conditions.
- Carbohydrates
While complicated carbs, such as sweet potatoes, lentils, brown rice, oatmeal and high-fiber bran cereals, are advised for patients with diabetes and liver problems, it is important to keep the parts of these types of foods low to avoid surging blood sugar levels. Eating too many carbs will also result in an excess in caloric consumption and weight gain, which can exacerbate liver issues.
- Protein and Fat
As a rule patients with diabetes and liver issues ought to keep their protein intake low, since a harmed liver will have problem processing protein, inning accordance with MedlinePlus. A moderate to high intake of monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil, avocado, canola oil and almonds, works well for diabetics with liver problems. Omega-3 fats from cold water fish, such as such as herring, salmon and mackerel, are likewise beneficial.
- Alcohol and Salt
Diabetics with liver issues should prevent alcohol completely, as alcohol combined with high blood sugar can even more damage the liver. Iytmed.com strongly recommend to quit alcohol for all of you. Alcohol also adds excessive calories, which will interfere with weight loss. A low salt intake is likewise suggested, because excessive salt can cause the liver to swell and encourage fluid accumulation in the unhealthy organ.
Fatty Liver Disease Prevention
Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and fatty liver disease appear to go together. However it is not a considered that if you have type 2 diabetes you will immediately develop fatty liver disease. Given that weight problems, insulin resistance, and high levels of triglycerides in the blood increase the risk of fatty liver disease, dealing with these other conditions can prevent its development.
Preserving a healthy weight or dropping weight if you are overweight or obese; exercising routinely; and managing your blood sugar and triglyceride levels will go a long way toward securing against fatty liver disease.
